Santiago 3
Bible in Basic English
1Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others.
2For we all go wrong in a number of things. If a man never makes a slip in his talk, then he is a complete man and able to keep all his body in control.
3Now if we put bits of iron into horses' mouths so that they may be guided by us, we have complete control of their bodies.
4And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it.
5Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire!
6And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell.
7For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority;
8But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.
9With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.
10Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for these things to be so.
11Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water?
12Is a fig-tree able to give us olives, my brothers, or do we get figs from a vine, or sweet water from the salt sea?
13Who has wisdom and good sense among you? let him make his works clear by a life of gentle wisdom.
14But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true.
15This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One.
16For where envy is, and the desire to get the better of others, there is no order, but every sort of evil-doing.
17But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is.
18And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace for those who make peace.
Reina-Valera 1909
1HERMANOS míos, no os hagáis muchos maestros, sabiendo que recibiremos mayor condenación.
2Porque todos ofendemos en muchas cosas. Si alguno no ofende en palabra, éste es varón perfecto, que también puede con freno gobernar todo el cuerpo.
3He aquí nosotros ponemos frenos en las bocas de los caballos para que nos obedezcan, y gobernamos todo su cuerpo.
4Mirad también las naves: aunque tan grandes, y llevadas de impetuosos vientos, son gobernadas con un muy pequeño timón por donde quisiere el que las gobierna.
5Así también, la lengua es un miembro pequeño, y se gloría de grandes cosas. He aquí, un pequeño fuego ¡cuán grande bosque enciende!
6Y la lengua es un fuego, un mundo de maldad. Así la lengua está puesta entre nuestros miembros, la cual contamina todo el cuerpo, é inflama la rueda de la creación, y es inflamada del infierno.
7Porque toda naturaleza de bestias, y de aves, y de serpientes, y de seres de la mar, se doma y es domada de la naturaleza humana:
8Pero ningún hombre puede domar la lengua, que es un mal que no puede ser refrenado; llena de veneno mortal.
9Con ella bendecimos al Dios y Padre, y con ella maldecimos á los hombres, los cuales son hechos á la semejanza de Dios.
10De una misma boca proceden bendición y maldición. Hermanos míos, no conviene que estas cosas sean así hechas.
11¿Echa alguna fuente por una misma abertura agua dulce y amarga?
12Hermanos míos, ¿puede la higuera producir aceitunas, ó la vid higos? Así ninguna fuente puede hacer agua salada y dulce.
13¿Quién es sabio y avisado entre vosotros? muestre por buena conversación sus obras en mansedumbre de sabiduría.
14Pero si tenéis envidia amarga y contención en vuestros corazones, no os gloriéis, ni seáis mentirosos contra la verdad:
15Que esta sabiduría no es la que desciende de lo alto, sino terrena, animal, diabólica.
16Porque donde hay envidia y contención, allí hay perturbación y toda obra perversa.
17Mas la sabiduría que es de lo alto, primeramente es pura, después pacífica, modesta, benigna, llena de misericordia y de buenos frutos, no juzgadora, no fingida.
18Y el fruto de justicia se siembra en paz para aquellos que hacen paz.
King James Version
1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
World English Bible
1Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
2For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
3Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
4Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
5So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
6And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
7For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
8but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.
10Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
12Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.